GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Members of the West Michigan LGBTQ community have spoken out celebrating the overturn of the Michigan ban on gay marriage, but also noted that there is still a ways to go.

On Friday, U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman ruled Michigan's gay marriage ban unconstitutional, striking down the 2004 voter-approved law. He did not issue a stay of his ruling pending appeal, which means same-sex couples could apply for marriage licenses as early as Monday, March 24.

"I think it is a very liberating day for all Michiganders," said Colette Seguin Beighley, director of Grand Valley State University's LGBT Resource Center.

"We no longer live in a state that has discrimination written into the state constitution. These laws are falling around the nation, so the ruling wasn't unexpected, but it was important."

Beighley said the repeal of the amendment would bring visibility to LGBTQ lives and represented the culmination of years of work.

"This is a long time coming, we've been working to undo this law that discriminated against an entire group of people," Beighley said.

GVSU senior Leslie Boker was out to dinner with partner Amanda when the marriage ban was struck down.

A LGBTQ Educational Speaker at GVSU and president of the university's Out 'N' About organization, Boker said the ruling was a major step for equality in Michigan.

"It gives us hope," Boker said. "This was something that was needed, and it was going to happen eventually."

Boker got engaged to Amanda this winter, but said they do not plan to get married immediately, pending graduation.

While Boker said the ruling was vindicating, the Japanese Language and LGBTQ Studies minor said progress still remains to be made, noting the high number of homeless LGBTQ individuals and those that suffer from violence in identifying as gay.

"Equality in the moment is great, but my partner said if we can do something about the law that makes it legal to be fired for being gay, that is also important," Boker said. "Being gay or trans is so vulnerable, and employers don't have to give a reason to terminate you."

Beighley also stressed the amount of work Michigan has left to do in order to become a truly equal state for all ways of life.

"It is important to acknowledge that this will not address many problems, including the epidemic of homeless LGBTQ youth," Beighley said.

Beighley said that, while many health care benefits may now be extended to members of the LGBTQ community, the United States' policy of providing health care based on relationship status is fundamentally flawed.

"There will be immediate relief, but it is still a problematic issue," Beighley said.

Regardless, Beighley called it a good day for Michigan and remains extremely positive about the ruling.

"All Michiganders need to celebrate," Beighley said. "This is not just a win for us, but a win for all of Michigan."

Rev. Doug Van Doren, a longtime advocate of same sex marriage, said he was thrilled with the ruling.

“It’s not just about marriage,” said Van Doren, a pastor at Plymouth United Church of Christ on Grand Rapids’ Southeast Side.

“It’s one more very, very important step in equality for LGBT folks. Every place that we can strike down where they can legally be discriminated against is a step in the right direction for overall equality.”

Reaction in Holland

Jennifer White, co-chair of Holland Is Ready, a nonprofit advocacy group that in Holland that advocates equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, said she wasn’t surprised by the court's decision.

“I trust that our state will move in the direction of equality,” White said. “Certainly, that’s my hope. What happened today is a sign that Michigan is moving in that direction.

“My guess is that couples all over the state will be going to receive a license and seek the fair treatment they’ve been waiting for.”

Holland is Ready, alongside Hope Is Ready at Hope College, has pushed for equality in a traditionally conservative Holland community by advocating for anti-discrimination ordinance on housing and jobs.

White said Friday’s ruling is one in a series of steps that lead to recognition and equality of LGBT people. She’d like to see more municipalities adopt non-discrimination ordinances, which she characterized as basic protection laws.

What does equality look like in Michigan?

“Where sexual orientation and gender identity are no longer an issue,” White said.

“Just a different environment, where LGBT people are treated just like everybody else, where it’s no longer an issue. That’s what I look forward to.”

Jonathan Van Zytveld is a writer for MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. Email him at jvanzytv@mlive.com, and follow him on Twitter.